Hollywood producer, evangelist to lead local revival
‘Penitentiary’ star Kennedy recently produced documentary about roots of U.S. Pentecostalism
By ALLISON KENNEDY
akennedy@ledger-enquirer.com
A Hollywood entertainer who co-produced “The Azusa Street Project,” a documentary marking the founding years of Pentecostalism in this country, will be in Columbus next week to lead three nights of revival and a financial empowerment seminar.
The Remnant Church is hosting Leon Isaac Kennedy Wednesday through Saturday.
“So many people are hurting. People have to get set free and get rid of junk -- and get rid of things blocking them,” Kennedy said in a recent phone interview from California. “Jesus is a healer and a deliverer, but people are too full to receive more. They’re full of old wounds, old scars and baggage from the past.”
Kennedy, 61, said his ministry office was contacted by the Rev. Sharon Billins of The Remnant Church. With every invitation to preach and teach, he said he fasts and prays about it. He and Billins were not acquainted previously, but a long phone conversation convinced him to come, he said.
“She is truly on fire for God,” Kennedy said. In addition to leading the church, Billins oversees Palm Tree International Ministries; she travels as an evangelist as well.
Kennedy got his start in the entertainment business as an 18-year-old host for the TV show “Teen Drama.” After that, he was a Detroit DJ.
He’s been one of the foremost purveyors of two-fisted action flicks, according to the All Movie Guide. Kennedy is best known for his performance as “Too Sweet” in 1979’s “Penitentiary” and its sequels. His television work includes a supporting role in the 1980 TV movie “Off the Cherokee Strip.” While in production, he generally wears a multitude of hats, as producer, writer and actor.
The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles. Led by William J. Seymour, an African-American preacher, it began with a meeting on April 14, 1906, and continued until about 1915. The revival was characterized by ecstatic spiritual experiences accompanied by speaking in tongues and dramatic worship services. The participants received criticism from secular media and Christian theologians for behaviors considered to be outrageous and unorthodox, especially at the time. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century.
Seymour died of a heart attack in 1922.
In 1992, Kennedy teamed up with evangelist Tim Storey to document the revival and its effects. They spent about two years compiling data and research. “The Azusa Street Project” premiered in 2006, 100 years after the revival’s beginning.
In his personal life, Kennedy was married to actress/TV personality Jayne Kennedy, with whom he co-starred in “Body and Soul” (1982). Smokey Robinson was his best man. He’s now married to Lolita Armbrister, Miss Bahamas 1978.
Kennedy said the services are intended for anyone who needs healing and deliverance -- even for those who are already Christian.
“Every Christian needs deliverance. It doesn’t mean you’ve done something terrible in your life. It’s like a garden that grows weeds. I weed it, then three weeks later there are other weeds.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hollywood producer, evangelist to lead local revival."